Little football players cried for joy after the victory. They meet Ronaldo

FALL UP. League area, chanting of spectators and a drum show in the stands.

Legendary football the McDonald’s Cup tournament for first grade elementary school students brought great moments.

1,010 elementary schools participated in the 24th edition of the tournament, which is a new record.

“Every second elementary school in Slovakia applied. 12,000 boys and girls took part in the game, which makes us very happy,” says Lucia Poláčeková from McDonald’s Slovakia.

Coach of the winners: Fantastic feelings

Individual schools competed in school, district, district or regional rounds.

The eight best made it to the all-Slovak finals to compete for the title of Slovak Champion on the excellently prepared lawn of the National Training Center (NTC) SFZ in Poprad. ZŠ Mlynská from Senac enjoyed the victory.

“I am experiencing fantastic feelings. Better than after the regional round. We won, perfect,” said the coach of the winning team ZŠ Mlynská Senec Matej Šmálik with emotion.

In the final, Senec defeated the opponent from Vranov nad Topľou 7:1. “We were the best. It was shown in the first match between us, when we were losing 2:5 and managed to equalize. It was clear in the final,” he added.

The players wept with joy

After the final whistle, the players jumped on each other and rejoiced.

Some boys even cried with joy. The triumph at the current edition of the tournament is the greatest success in history for Senec.

“The deciding factor was the individual quality of our players, who were excellent. Our goalkeeper made an excellent save and our girl also played well. I believe that the children will stick to these performances and one day they will become successful football players. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for them,” added the coach of the winners.

The winners received valuable trophies, medals, a number of gifts, but especially the main prize, which is a financial gift of 5,000 euros.

The new champions also get tickets for the qualifying match for the European Championship 2024 Slovakia – Portugalwhich will take place on September 8, 2023 in Bratislava.

They will thus meet the legendary Ronaldo. “When I compare it with other tournaments in Slovakia, the McDonald’s Cup is on a different level. I can compare it to the biggest foreign tournaments, which have a high level in terms of organization and play,” praised Šmálik.

The final showed a lot of talent

Senec’s great results were driven by the captain, who held the defensive position and scored more goals.

“Thank you to the whole team. It was a long way like a marathon, but it was worth it. It is my greatest achievement. I really like it here. It’s a shame that I’ve been playing McDonald’s Cup for the last year,” said the best player of the tournament, Lukáš Kováč.

He scored a hat trick in the final match against Vranov nad Topľou.

“I would like to play for Manchester City one day, my favorite player is Phil Foden. My dream is to win the Ballon d’Or and triumph in Champions League. I believe that I will be a part of the Slovak national team in every category,” added the ambitious footballer Lukáš Kováč, who plays for Dunajská Streda.

Top scorer: I’m happy when I’m playing

The trophy for the best scorer of the final tournament went to Mateo Pajer from Banská Bystrica. He scored seventeen goals.

“I played well. I scored a lot of goals thanks to my teammates, who made excellent passes for me. I believe that one day I will be the best player in the world,” said Mateo Pajer.

The organizers declared Petr Jurošek from Martin as the best goalkeeper, Lea Máčaiová from Nové Zámky was the best player.

The best scorer of the grand final was Mia Kubovičová from Trnava.

“I enjoyed it very much. It’s hard to fight against boys, but sometimes I beat them. When I play football, I am happy. Because I’m in a team and with friends. And that is the most,” said Mia Kubovičová, the author of five goals.

The league players came

Several active league soccer players came to Poprad for the grand final.

They wished the participants many scored goals and supported them from the stands.

“I follow the McDonald’s Cup, it is also promoted by the tournament’s patron Robo Boženík. It is great for children that something like this is organized. There is an excellent level,” said Ivan Krajčírik, goalkeeper of MFK Ružomberok.

“When I was little, I played defender. That’s why I never won a big prize at the McDonald’s Cup. However, I have excellent memories of the tournament. It’s great when you can compare your strengths with other teams from Slovakia,” said Adam Griger, a football player of the Italian Cagliariwho recently appeared at the Under-20 World Cup in distant Argentina.

“I also played McDonald’s Cup when I was in primary school. I perceive the tournament very well, it’s great for children to play in a beautiful stadium in front of so many people,” said FC Košice player Jakub Jakubko, who this season helped his team advance to Fortune of the league.

“When I was a boy, we often played similar tournaments. It’s a great thing for kids and an opportunity to show off. If you want to become a professional player, you have to sacrifice a lot for football. To do everything at one hundred percent, to listen to the coaches and to try to improve every day,” the former representative of Slovakia, Marek Sapara, bequeathed to the children the recipe for success.

Janoško SFZ: The coaches are dedicated to the children

Children from all over Slovakia can test their strength thanks to partners, but especially the Slovak Football Association.

“On behalf of SFZ, we are extremely happy that in cooperation with McDonald’s Slovakia we can organize a tournament for elementary school students. The number of schools is constantly growing, which makes us extremely happy. We involve as many children as possible in football and in this way we offer them the opportunity to develop, progress and have new experiences,” said Cyril Janoško, SFZ grassroots football coordinator. He was extremely satisfied with the course of the final.

“The matches were attractive, the players performed well. Seeing that the coaches at the schools are dedicated to them makes the sessions of a high standard. The emotions are great,” added Janoško, who observed fairplay gestures at the final and was happy about them.

The goals will help sick children

In total, more than twelve thousand goals were scored at the 24th edition of the McDonald’s Cup.

Each one was turned into money by the organizers. They dedicate them to those who need them the most.

“We decided on an innovation that will support hospitalized children. Through the non-profit organization Ronald McDonald House Charities, which reconstructs and revitalizes hospitals throughout Slovakia, we donate a certain amount of money for each goal,” explained Poláčeková from McDonald’s.

The creators of the idea of ​​a children’s tournament and holders of a great tradition are already starting preparations for the jubilee 25th year. He will be special.

“Every year we register increased interest. Parents, teachers and children are actively interested in the tournament, which motivates us. Every time after the start of applications, the number of schools increases at a record speed, which obliges us to continue the tournament,” concluded Poláčeková from the McDonald’s Slovakia company.

Read the most important news from the east of Slovakia at Korzar.sme.sk.